Indian Mythology PDF

Indian Mythology A. Identify significant facts about the Myths of India B.Recognize major deities of the Indian myths or Hindu religion C.Analyze and conclude an Indian myth story What are your ideas about the Indian Mythology? 1 What is Indian Mythology? 2 Importance and...

Indian Mythology A. Identify significant facts about the Myths of India B.Recognize major deities of the Indian myths or Hindu religion C.Analyze and conclude an Indian myth story What are your ideas about the Indian Mythology? 1 What is Indian Mythology? 2 Importance and Significance in Indian Culture Indian mythology refers to the collection of traditional stories, legends, Hindu myths are cornerstones of and beliefs deeply rooted in the Hindu the Hindu religious and social complex culture. as Hindu religious beliefs and social The Vedic Mythology of India came practices are unintelligible except from the Aryans. The Aryans were a through the way of their mythology. large nomadic people from the central part of Asia who moved down towards the south to conquer lands and acquire habitable places for their cows.  A. The Vedas Ancient Indian Texts The word Veda is derived from the Sanskrit word vid, which means knowledge or to know. These are the oldest sacred texts in Hinduism, written in ancient Sanskrit. They contain hymns, ritual formulas, and philosophical teachings. Vedas are Shruti scriptures, which means scriptures prepared according to whatever was ‘heard’. Rig Veda Collection of Praises Sama Veda Collection of Melodies Yajur Veda Collection of Sacrificial Rituals Atharva Veda Collection of Rishi Brahma Veda Ayurveda  B. The Puranas Ancient Indian Texts The word Purana means old. These are a collection of ancient texts that provide detailed accounts of deities, legends, and cosmology. Puranas are Smriti, which translates to what is remembered. There are a total of 18 major (Maha) Puranas and 18 minor (Upa) Puranas. Purana is based on five points: 1. The creation of the universe 2. Secondary creation after the periodic annihilation 3. The gods and the supernatural 4. The era of humans 5. History of solar and lunar dynasties 18 Major (Maha) Puranas 1.Brahma Purana 10. Bhagavad Maha Purana 2.Padma Purana 11. Linga Purana 3.Vishnu Purana 12. Narada Purana 4.Shiva Purana 13. Skanda Purana 5.Vamana Purana 14. Garuda Purana 6.Markandeya Purana 15. Matsya Purana 7.Varaha Purana 16. Vayu Purana 8.Agni Purana 17. Bhavishya Purana 9.Kurma Purana 18. Brahmanda Purana(incomplete) 18 Minor (Upa) Puranas 1. Sanatkumara Purana 10. Kalika Purana 2. Narasimha Purana 11. Samba Purana 3. Brihannaradiya Purana 12. Nandi Purana 4. Sivarahasya Purana 13. Surya Purana 5.Durvasa Purana 14. Parasara Purana 6.Kapila Purana 15. Vashishtha Purana 7. Vamana Purana 16. Devi Bhagavatam 8. Bhargava Purana 17. Ganesha Purana 9. Varuna Purana 18. Hamsa Purana Facts about Indian Mythology  Mythology in ancient India was very important due to its belief in gods. Buddhism and Hinduism are also created or based on mythology and ancient India.  The sacred and heroic tales of the Vedas (holy book of Hinduism) make up the great mythology of Hinduism.  Hinduism originated during the Vedic times. It was the Aryans who brought Hinduism to India. It has no known founder and is itself a conglomerate of diverse beliefs and traditions.  Bhagavad Gita - “The Song of God” is an ancient Sanskrit text comprising 700 verses from the Mahabharata. Krishna, as the speaker of the Bhagavad Gita is referred to as the Bhagavan.  Mandala- The mandala is a symbol, a plan, or a chart of geometric patterns that represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically. It is the microcosm of the universe from the human perspective.  Karma- It refers to the major doctrine of the Hindu faith. The doctrine of karma is grounded on the theory of cause and effect. Facts about Indian Mythology  Meditation (Yoga)- It is one of the six schools of Hindu perspective which serves as a path to self-knowledge and liberation.  Reincarnation- According to the Hindu faith, the soul reincarnates again and again on earth till it becomes perfect and reunites (Nirvana) with its source.  Nirvana (moksha and mukti) is reuniting with Brahman, the universal God or the universal soul. It is also that moment when the soul escapes from the reincarnation.  Ramayana- (The Way of Rama) - depicts a hero named Rama and his brothers embodying the ideas of the Aryan culture; men of loyalty and honor, faithful and dutiful sons, affectionate brothers and loving husbands, men who speak the truth are stern, who persevere but are ready and willing to make sacrifices for the sake of virtue against the evils of greed, lust, and deceit.  Mahabharata (Great India) -It is the longest-known poem in the world Facts about Indian Mythology  Buddhism - It was an offshoot of the religion Hinduism. There were ideas that Sidharta Gautama Buddha (founder of Buddhism) rejected from the tenets of the Hindu religion. It is a non-theistic philosophy and has a different perspective on gods.  a belief in many gods, which are seen as manifestations of a single unity. These deities are linked to universal and natural processes.  a preference for one deity while not excluding or disbelieving others  Dharma is often referred to as the law of righteousness, providing guidelines of ethics, behaviors, and traditions meant to help people fulfill the best versions of themselves.  a belief in the universal law of cause and effect (karma) and reincarnation  a belief in the possibility of liberation and release (moksha) by which the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) can be resolved.  The Panchatantra (Folklore)- is a collection of fables that was used to educate Indian princes into becoming wise kings.  Supreme Hindu God Brahman He is considered as God of Hindus. He is formless and genderless. He is the supreme soul. He is omniscient and omnipresent. He is also called Parmeshwara, Om, or Parmatma. Brahman is formless but it manifests itself through Purusha and Prakriti. Purusha is consciousness and Prakriti is the material world. Purusha expresses itself through Prakriti. Prakriti binds Purusha. Purusha is constant but Prakriti changes. It multiplies and breaks down into cruder and more basic forms. Prakriti has three binding principles, viz. Sattva guna, Tamo guna, and Rajo guna. The universe that we are seeing has come into being because of Purusha and Prakriti. That is why Hindus say God is everywhere. Gods and Goddesses in Indian Mythology Most Prominent Deities (Trimurti) Brahma Vishnu Shiva (The Creator) (The Preserver) (The Destroyer and Transformer) Brahma is commonly Vishnu is the great Shiva is the Supreme depicted as a red or golden- maintainer who often appears Lord who creates, protects, and complexioned bearded man in various incarnations transforms the universe. with four heads and hands. His (avatars) to provide salvation for four heads represent the four humanity. Some of his best- He destroys to renew Vedas and are pointed to the known avatars, who are and regenerate life forms and four cardinal directions. He is tremendously popular and facilitate the transformation, seated on a lotus and his beloved throughout Hindu evolution, or modifications of vahana (mount) is a hamsa India, are the gods Krishna and Nature. (swan, goose or crane). Rama. Gods and Goddesses in Indian Mythology Most Prominent Deities (Tridevi) Parvati Lakshmi Saraswati (Kamakshi) (Maya) (Saras) Parvati is the Hindu She is the wife of Lord Saraswati is a Hindu goddess of fertility, love, Vishnu and is the goddess of goddess who represents devotion, and determination. wealth. Bhoodevi and Shridevi education, creativity, and She is a manifestation of are some of her important music. Shakti, the divine feminine incarnations. She assists Lord energy of the universe. She is Vishnu in the task of the wife of Shiva, the supreme maintaining the universe. being. Gods and Goddesses in Indian Mythology Ganesha Kali Krishna He is the god of good Devi Kali is the fierce Lord Krishna is the fortune and wisdom and is the form of Goddess Parvati. She Hindu god of love, compassion, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess took this form to kill a demon, and protection. Known as the Parvati. His other popular Raktabija. She is depicted as Dark One, he is often depicted names are Ganapati, Vinayaka, wearing a skirt of demon hands with dark blue skin. Krishna is and Gajanana. He has the head and a garland of skulls. The an avatar of the god Vishnu, of an elephant and is a god of book Kalika Purana is but he is also worshiped as a wisdom and auspiciousness. dedicated to her. god in his own right. Gods and Goddesses in Indian Mythology Indra Varuna Agni He is the god of thunder, Varuna is the god of Agni, (Sanskrit: “Fire”) lightning, and rain. In the Puranas, oceans, his vehicle is a Makara, fire-god of Hinduism, second the word Indra is used as a person a part fish, sea creature; and only to Indra in the Vedic as well as designation. his weapon is a pasha, which is mythology of ancient India. He a noose or rope loop. is equally the fire of the sun, of lightning, and of both the domestic and the sacrificial hearth.  The Churning of the Ocean The Churning of the Ocean is a pivotal event in Hindu mythology that symbolizes the pursuit of immortality and the emergence of divine treasures. Devas (gods) and Asuras (demons) joined forces to churn the cosmic ocean using Mount Mandara as the churner and Vasuki, the serpent, as the rope. This mythological event represents the cosmic struggle between good and evil, and the importance of balance and perseverance in achieving desired outcomes.  Themes 1. The Importance of Balance 2. Morality and Ethics 3. Power of Unity 4. Change and Transformation 5. Environmental Stewardship Beliefs 1. Reincarnation 2. The Caste System A. Brahmans B. Kshatriyas C. Vaisyas D. Shudras E. Untouchables